Parky3614

Details: Published: 20 January 2001; Hits: 1998

LES J. PARKINSON'S

NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES

I was watching the weekend's racing of the 24th/25th May closely with the weather not being so good. Some did let go on the Saturday with mixed returns while most held over until Sunday when the Nationals also went up. The liberations started about 6am on the south coast where our birds were and at that time it was beautiful here but soon covered over and it went rather cold for about an hour but then warmed up again. Even with the rain that they had to contend with it was looking like a fast race when we could have done with a more testing day with the bigger and more challenging channel races to this part of the country coming up, or those were my thoughts at 10.15am. I then had a call from a West Coast fed fancier telling me that he had sent 30 and had only got 5 back, his first 3hrs 9mins and by the time I got the call it was 4hrs 5mins so not a good race. He went on to say that he had spoken to others and they were in the same position, as we know there are always those who do get them but not many. As I am sitting here typing these notes it is still heavy drizzle outside and has been for the last hour. The problem is it is this type of rain that soon gets the pigeons wet and makes flying hard work for them; I am all for a harder race but not with weights on their backs. Having said that the weather is clearing and heading north so we could quite easily get a good race returns wise and it will be fast no matter what. Several calls later I was talking to a fancier from down south and he was telling me that there were 19 liberations at Portland where we were waiting to be liberated. He went on to say that the birds that were liberated at 7.30 cleared well and then came racing back with BOP chasing them so from the start there were going to be mixed returns with that liberation. By this time it was 10.45am and I spoke to Mick Barlow and I was telling him what had happened and he said the same thing had happened with another organisation the week before when pigeons were even returning to the transporter. This started bells ringing and I was wondering why we race pigeons from such places when they are known to have so many BOP about, in fact why race from the west country at all when there are so many known peregrine sites down there. The only people who can change that are the hauliers of pigeons because they are looking for the easy option to cover the miles and that is M6, M5 and straight down to the coast or at least near to it. East of Weymouth is where we should be heading to for liberations into this part of the world, why feed the BOP population when we no need to in the first place. What was noticeable on the Sunday was the poor signal for the ETS system when we were certainly struggling to get a good contact and in the end had to resort to the manual time set. The other thing that happened on this Sunday liberation was we had two back that had hit the wires (see photo) which we could have done without at this time of the year. I did take a good look at them when they entered the loft and give them a good spray that turned the area purple and it was obvious that they had not been far away when this had happened. These two will be out of action for at least two weeks and the first channel race they will be available for is the Messac race on the 22nd June. At the moment I cannot see them making Fougeres on the 14th June, a land race is not too bad but the channel, no chance. There was no problem with the exercising around home because they were up with the rest next day. When there is a tail wind the pigeons are far higher in the sky when wires are not a problem but when they go over and on their return journey they drop to a much lower altitude that is when they have more than likely hit the wires.

Two of LJP's pigeons return from the race on the 25th May

Mid Cheshire Fed

I was talking to John Allbutt about how well the fed was going this year because it is noticeable that the entries are up even they there is now a split club in the fed and there is £1200 in the kitty for inland prize money. Last year they paid £500 per race prize money for the channel races and I cannot see that changing a great deal because of the number of birds sent to the land races. There is also good money being paid in the land races with the kitty building up nicely. What is good is that the prizes are paid at one per loft which sends the prizes well down the fed list so you don’t necessarily have to be in the top ten to win a prize or two. To date there are 30 different members of the fed who will be making a draw and with the channel and young birds to go we could see a position where over half the fed members could be having a few quid back at the end of the season, even if you are at the lower end and got your subs paid it all helps.

North West Classic

The club has now had their two old bird inland open races and they were both a success, the latest from Seaton attracted 575 birds from 50 members. Some members had real good races Glyn & Gavin Buckley took the top two positions and also had another 5 in the top 18 open positions. Wignall & Barnie also had a good race clocking 4 in 32seconds to finish in the top 10. 1st & 2nd section A and open are Glyn & Gavin Buckley of Rochdale. This partnership contains of Glyn and his brother Gavin whose main weekly club is the Rochdale DHS which is not the highest club but certainly got some of the best flyers in the North West. This competition keeps the team on their toes but their main aim is open, specialist and National racing. They race 30 hens and 30 cocks and breed approximately 60 to 70 ybs each year. As anybody who knows the boys they have a very good relationship with only probably 1 to 2 fall outs a week! Their day starts at 4.30 am when one of them will basket the birds and take them on their daily training spin at approx 25 miles while the other one does the cleaning out, stock etc. Hopefully both cocks and hens will be back before they set off to work in Bolton at 6.30 were they both work together as well, I do hear that there are some heated exchanges about the birds at work. In the afternoon the hens and cocks fly around the loft for approx 50mins to over a hour. Their 1st & 2nd NWCC winners arrived bang on line and after a lap around the loft trapped immediately. The first one is a 3yo blue cock that topped the fed as young bird and 3rd Amal and was their best yearling over the water where he had 4 races all with the NFC or MNFC. His dam won 1st section L Alencon and sire is a son of 1st section L Saintes and 1st Lancashire Nantes 2bird club. Their 2nd prize winner is a yearling cock who only had two races as a young bird but his brother won 2x1st and equal 1st fed also as young bird, his dam won 1st section L 19th open NFC Saintes and originates from Roy Harding. This hen (see photo) has now bred 4x1st. His sire is a Van Elsacker which they have had since 1990 and still play a big part in our birds today. Last year their birds in specialist and NFC races won 2x4th, 1x5th, 9th and 10th in section L not being out of top 10 in 4 races entered, 2x1st 1x3rd Lancashire Nantes 2B club 3rd Open NWCC Bedhampton 3rd Cheadle gold ring race 6th Lancashire Combine Carentan and 2nd 6th 7th 8th 9th Messac in the 2 races entered and 6th & 10th NW MNFC in 2 races winning over £5000 in pool and prize money and 2 RPRA region awards middle and long distances racing.

Gavin Buckley and daughter Abbey

G & G Buckley's stock hen dam and grand dam of winners - see report

G & G Buckley's Blue cock NWCC winner

G & G Buckley's Chequer w/f Cock 2nd open NWCC

G & G with their trophies

3rd Open 3rd section A is Ray Bullen from Cheadle gained another top spot in the club with a blue Vermassen cock purchased off Jose Gervaart as a youngster. Ray has 5 of them and they have been 1st section and 2 x 3rds now in the classic and had positions in Stockport Flying Club. They have all been lightly raced to the coast as yearlings and didn't do anything until they covered a few more miles and with these it was at the coast. They have been on widowhood but this last week they have been paired up again. They have not had a youngster this year due to a tree falling on Ray's loft in December so that side did not work out as planned. Dave Garnett a friend of Ray's helped him out by housing his birds over winter until a new Clydesdale loft was delivered. Some other good friends cleared all the area for Ray while I was in hospital and Gerry Clements and Brian Fisher started him off with some youngsters to race this year. The local pigeon lads where extremely helpful during a difficult time and Margaret and Ray fully appreciate their efforts and that is a good side to the sport. Now back to the pigeons, Dave Garnett and Ray purchased a round and each had half of the youngsters from Jose Gervaart in Belgium in 2012. They are a mixture of Aelbrechts, Van Den Driesse and Vermassens. All the hens have fallen at the channel hurdle and 5 vermassen cocks remain and the next stage being the channel for them to see how they cope. They are a nice lot and will probably go to the next Classic Lessay race. Ray has been a great help with the club and this has brought about a change of fortune on the east side that was well supported in the first two races.

Ray Bullen's 3rd open NWCC winner

4th open 4th Section A goes to Malone & Wragg of Gorton. This is a Peter Van De Merwe that was bred from stock purchased off JS Ward. The photo is of Damian (loft manager) who was intent on sending to the race even booking a night off work for marking when Jake & Les were not going to send.

Damian, Loft Manager for Stuart Malone

5th Open 5th section A are Mr & Mrs G Smith, Reddish. This is the only info I can get out of Pat who tells me that their prize winner is a yearling widowhood cock. This bird is bred down from their original Staf Van Reet family which they quite rightly call their own as they have had this family of birds since 1992. It never scored as a young bird but as a yearling it is now showing promising. We visited many years ago and over the years she has been a real hard for the sport and they deserves all the success that they gain from their pigeons. 6th Open 6th section A are Wignall & Barnie, Denton who also take the next three positions after clocking 4 in 32seconds. The partnership of Ron Wignall & Howard Barnie was formed in 2008 with the intention of competing in and winning channel races. Ron managing the racing team, whilst Howard is the main man in the stock loft because of his passion for breeding quality stock. The bloodlines are basically a mixture of various long distance strains. They have purchased several children off direct National winners that have been blended together over the past seven years. These include, Invincible Spirit, Jan Polder, Lowick Bros, Patrick Bros, Chris Gordon, Gordon Rigg etc. All top distance racing lofts. The first two birds clocked were hens both being grandchildren from one of their principal stock cocks “Moonshadow” when paired to “The Niort Hen” a winner of 1st Lancashire Combine Niort as a yearling when only 3 birds were clocked on the day. The third bird clocked was a son of “Blue Streak” multiple prize winner including 1st sect L Fougeres in the National FC and a full brother to "Sky Bolt" a winner of approximately £3000 in the NFC and other specialist clubs including the famous Eccles 2 bird club and The Lancashire & Yorkshire 700 mile club. As this race finished the partnership had just been informed that their last race which was with the NFC where they finished 1st sec "L" from Carentan 16th Open on first birds. The partnership went on to say; “We are delighted that the loft is showing some good form going into what we consider the best part of the season, the longer distance events” There are three photos from the partnership. No 1 photo is Howard Ron with their first two arrivals at Seaton 6th & 7th Open both hens. No 2 photo is the same but holding their first four arrivals 6th 7th 8th & 9th Open two hens and two cocks. No 3 photo is in front of their racing loft in Denton. I must say the pigeons look well. 1st & 2nd section B Graham Mackay, Swinton. But no information received, if you have any Graham send it along for a future NWCC article. 1st 3rd 4th 5th section C is John Dugdale of Leyland but unfortunately John isn't a publicity man so we miss out on this section winner. I spoke to John at the marking for the NWCC race from Falaise and he was saying that he is not into publicity, you should be John you race a good pigeon and both fancier and birds should get credit. 2nd section C Graeme Marskell from Leyland. The blue hen that was 2nd section from Seaton is a Roland Janssen. She was bred from a cock inbred to Rode Bingo and a Granddaughter of Super Kweker 12. She has been a fantastic racer especially as a sprinter as her prizes include 8th Open Bedhampton, 16th Open Bedhampton both 2013, 4th Open Swainswick 2012, 40th Open Portland 35th Open Swainswick both 2011 and 30th Open Portland 2010 all in the North West Classic. As well as these performances she has been a winner in Leyland & Dist. flying club up to 217miles and had good positions in the Merseyside fed. She is raced on the roundabout system and preparations for each race varied to keep her keen. 3rd section B 23rd Open go to Derek Woodward from Wincham. Derek is never far away wherever he sends and this latest prize winner is a 3yo dark chequer cock who was a late bred so didn’t race as a young bird but has made up for it since. To date he has won 1st club 4th Fed Portland. 1st Mangotsfield. 2nd club 2nd fed Frome. 3rd Frome. He is bred from the Favorite Son cock when paired to a daughter of Golden Gaby with both parents being bred by Peter Fox. Derek introduced these pigeons over 10yrs ago and has never looked back since. They have won so many first you have to wonder how one pair can breed so many winners but they have and are all listed. Derek went on to tell me that he has named this winner “Lucky Pete” The big change for Derek came when he became good friends with Peter Fox in 2002, since then he has not looked back and even though he does bring in the odd pigeon they are not making anywhere as big an impact as the Syndicate lofts stock have done. Derek is heading towards 80yrs and he is still keen on the pigeons and still working hard with his boss Marjorie who is as keen on the pigeons as he is. There will be a few about but I doubt there are many who at Derek’s age work so hard with the pigeons and keep training the race team themselves. Derek is a good role model for younger members of the sport because he si so dedicated to the pigeons.

Graeme Marskell's 2nd section C NWCC winner

Chequer Pied 5th Open NWCC for Mr & Mrs George Smith

Reg Churchill of Weymouth

After looking at the article and including a few bits on the late Jack Sharrett I decided to go back and see who else I could include and here is a cracking fancier from the past and it gives you something to read while having a brew waiting for the pigeons. This loft report is only abbreviated to look at the performances of a man whose racing record speaks volumes for his ability as a top class pigeon fancier. This must be one of the best well known lofts in the British Isles because Reg Churchill has had pigeons since he was knee high to a grass hopper and he has always won his share. He has lived pigeons more or less all his life after following in the footsteps of his brother Charles who set up loft after returning from the great war of 1914-1918, that is the kind of experience that we are talking about. This is not a modern day loft and fancier who has most things quite easy, Reg has gone through the years of hard work in preparing the pigeons and to come out on top all of his life. When we consider the modern day trappings of easy transport and communications pigeon racing is not that hard if you are prepared to do your bit which is what many fanciers fail to do. Reg is a hard worker but does not forget the other side and can generally be found to be a bundle of fun, always ready to have a laugh and joke at the headquarters as we found out. As I said Reg first took an interest in pigeons via his brother Charles, at this time he was not able to take up racing but still managed the 30 yards to the loft. Reg was 16 when he started to race pigeons which were obtained from various lofts in the area which started the love affair that Reg has had with pigeons obviously culminating in the famous 1973 Palomas win of the class hen “Knightsdale Lady”. what a pigeon this was for Reg a winner of many top prizes including 5th Sec 17 Open, 10th Sec 25th Open, 2nd Sec 10th Open 5th Sec 6th pen, 17th Sec 59th Open, 1st Sec 1st Open PALOMOS 667 miles performances of 6 years in succession. There are distance winners well back in this hens pedigree including the Dam twice at Pau and twice at Barcelona. G.Dam 32nd Sec 122nd Open Pau NFC. 6th British Sec 268th International Sec Barcelona, 41st Sec 147th Open Pau NFC, 21st British Open 207th International Sec Barcelona. On the other side the wins are also there with G.Sire 1st Club 12th Sec 165th Open Nantes NFC. G.Dam 16th Sec 189th Open Nantes NFC, 5th British Sec 5th International Sec Barcelona. 8th British Sec Barcelona. “Knightsdale Lady” is also a South West region RPRA gold medal, Pitts mem trophy and Osman mem trophy winner. How’s that for breeding that is still in the present day winning lines, it was the “Ladies” 6th attempt at PALOMOS that she won in 1973 which now makes her over 20 years of age. We were rattling on a bit with that last bit because we have missed quite a bit from earlier days like his other hobbies from his youthful days when he used to have a good go at games like football, cricket an even boxing. But as with any dedicated pigeon fancier they will always go by the board and the future is spent conditioning the racers and not the fanciers. Although it was brother Charles who gave Reg the original insight into the sport it was the long distance performances of a local fancier by the name of Jack Burt who used to win with ease from Scotland and the Lerwick races. It was these distance performances that eventually led Reg to the south road events with such clubs as the NFC, BBC, CSCFC, West Dorset Amal, Weydor Spec Club, Weymouth H.S which all gives Reg good Competition. One of the all time greats being the late great Tom Clarke of Frampton on Severn a name that I have read about in years gone by. There were many discussions between these fanciers, out of which came much good advice and information that have been received and used well over the years by Reg. When this last spell of pigeons started for Reg after the Second World War some 47years ago, he dedicated the majority of his time to building and keeping up a winning team, a team that were well improved were the introduction of birds from the late Tom Jones of Treochy South Wales, these were the Gits family that started winning straight away. The present team is an accumulation of pigeons over many years and many birds have passed through his hands as Reg is a firm believer of trying to introduce new blood every year. The best of the present day birds up to 500miles are definitely the Busschaerts which have been at the ‘Knightsdale’ loft for over 12 years producing many good pigeons. Such as B.C.H.P Cock 1st Leamington Spa, 2nd Club 11th Dorset Fed 36th S.S.R Amal, 1st Club 28th Dorset Fed Saintes. 1st Club 6th Dorset Fed 8th Wessex S.R.COMB 39th Southern South Road AMAL Saintes. 1st Club 13th Dorset Fed Bergerac, 1st Weydor Spec Club Bergerac, 4th Nantes Wessex South Road Combine. 5th Pau Weydor Specialist Club. “Champs Boy” is another of this Family with 2nd Club Banbury, 1st Club Rennes, 2nd Weydor Spec Nantes 1st Pau Weydor Spec Club 5th Sec 155th Open NFC. 1st Club 1st Dorset AMAL Wolverhampton. 1st Weydor Spec Club 9th Sec 176th Open Nantes NFC. 2nd Weydor Spec Club Pau, 2nd Weydor Spec Club 14th Sec 15th Open Rennes C.S.C.F.C Bergerac. “007” 1st Claycross 1st West Dorset AMAL 1st Club 2nd West Dorset AMAL Wethereby, 1st Club worksop. 2nd Weydor Spec Club 51st Sec 161st Open Nantes B.B.C 2nd Weydor Spec Club 4th Sec 17th Open Nantes C.S.C.F.C. 1st Weydor Spec club 32nd Sec 66th Open C.S.C.F.C Bergerac. 1st Weydor Spec Club 2nd Sec 2nd Open B.B.C Nantes. 1st Weydor Spec Club 4th Sec 23rd Open Nantes NFC. 1st Weydor Spec Club Saintes. 1st Weydor Spec Club 7th Sec 353rd Open NFC Pau. These are just the main wins of “007” whose nest brother “040” won 27th Sec 43rd Open Pau C.S.C.F.C. 1st Club 2nd Fed Rennes 4th Nantes to mention just a few. Before finishing of the Busschaerts I must add that Reg owes a lot to Tony Hayne of the Ponderosa who has supplied Reg with so many god pigeons over the years including the parents of the “Champ” which originated from the Challis lines. By the way before going on I must add that the great “Knightsdale Lady and Duke” came from the Jock Reed of Stenhousemuire blood lines which need no introduction. Reg is also very fond of the Kirkpatricks that have brought fanciers worldwide success at the distance as have the Van Bruanes all doing a good job along with those previously mentioned. Reg does admit to making mistakes with some pigeons by not giving them enough time or not waiting long enough with the offspring and later finding out to find that some that have gone have in face left behind a few good winners which is a point that I have touched on with my noted in the RP, even the good fanciers can let them slip through their hands but not many are as honest as Reg and admit to it. It is the honesty and the hard work that has seen Reg through it all. Theories are plentiful but at the end of the day all success is only obtained by motivation and hard work. Reg is a firm believer that most of the young bird losses of today are attributed to several things including clashing. Also far too many young birds are bred from late breds, fanciers purchase late breds and breed from them as soon as they can which leaves those in the nest lacking the maturity that they should be brought up with, this can only come from the parents. The lofts are nothing extravagant after all Reg has been winning from these lofts far too long to think about putting up a big fancy pan tiled affair. This is the usual 18 foot 3 partitioned affair with a corridor with an added widowhood loft at the end and a stock loft and a aviary down below. The loft should be perfectly dry with a good constant flow of fresh air throughout. There should also be plenty of places for the birds to hide away and feel protected and safe, the idea that they are kidding you. There are 12 stock birds with 60 for racing purposes and a young bird team with 60-80. Reg believes that a fancier who has the opportunity to breed a big team also has the better chances of breeding that exclusive “Champion”. The stock birds are paired as early as possible, sometimes as early as December if a few extra early youngsters are acquired. Widowhood pigeons are always left until the 1st week of February leaving the distance team until one month later being the 1st week of March. Reg flies the Widowhood and natural systems to cover all eventualities I.e. weather conditions and distances to cover at a particular time of the year. The Widowhood cocks usually rear 1 youngster then the hens are taken away after they are down on the 2n round of eggs. The cocks have a few training tosses and are exercised for half an hour both morning and evening. if Reg considers that they are not flying around home as they should then they are forced to exercise. The pigeons are fed individually in pots twice a day by teaspoons for the shorter earlier races but when they embark on the larger events they are fed by hand. Reg can’t understand why some fanciers never win prizes, they are a rare breed of fanciers who must have a great deal of patience, very soft and tender with the pigeons overfeeding and not enough exercise which is the envy of a great many pigeon fanciers. We really did enjoy visiting Reg but we will be making another journey in the near future but that isn’t the end of the article because I am going to leave the last words to Reg. “I served in the army for six and a half years 1940-1946, in the Western Dessert and Italy, since then I have not travelled all that much but I did go to Australia last year and calling in at Bangkok en route to look in on the Asia Pacific. I Met fanciers from Perth, Sydney and Melbourne which made it the most interesting trip, one that I enjoyed.” “My favourite success was “Knightsdale Ladies” performance in the B.B.C race from Palomas winning the race on her 6th consecutive attempt 667 miles being the only bird on the winning day on a very hard race in baking hot sunshine. My next best was winning the young bird National in 1955, then in 1958 I won from Thurso 557 miles with the highest velocity in the West of England Combine with a blue chequer cock of my old Gits and Barker strain. This game cock flew Pau 1959 and 1960 and was sent back to Thurso and was reported in Sweden. With the cock being of the sound quality that he had shown in the distance events, I sent him back but he was not such a good investment in stock. I have many good wins far too many to mention. The sport of pigeon racing is great and if I could have my time over again I would still be a pigeon fancier.”

Club/Fed News

We start this week with the Winsford club and a week late at that, Mel's PC is still on gas so working slowly and the email didn't get here on time so here is what he had to say. “Winsford H.S. The latest race for the members saw both Federations at Yeovil with a total of 320 birds being entered, with the trend still continuing in favour of South West Cheshire. We again had a few E.T.S problems. I think that the RPRA have not given clubs the backup required. With mechanical clocks you had the backup of the great book Clock Setters Guild. We should have the same type of guidance for ETS covering all related problems and related solutions. It is of no use just putting a rule in to say competent person or persons. People try their best but as soon as problems arise we need to know the cause? That's my personal views. Now let’s move on to the races. South West Cheshire members sent 235 birds. We had a blip when Graham Jones had two early birds way out in front but being the honest person he is, a true Gentleman, he telephoned the Chairman Mike O'Grady to withdraw the two pigeons. In first place were Mr & Mrs Albert Austin recorded a vel of 1609ypm with a blue widowhood cock that won as a YB plus other prizes, this being a Lambrecht out of stock loft. The partnership are also in 2nd place with a vel of 1584ypm after seeing a blue w/f widowhood cock drop through the trap this is a Vanwildemeersch, his sire has 9x1st to his credit and an RPRA award. Unlike his sire this cock has won a lot of prizes but is struggling to gain the red one with the ease of his sire. Albert & Margarite have so far won 3x1st this year and topped the Federation twice, which is very good flying well done. In 3rd place are Jones Bros, vel 1581ypm with a 3yo red cock that is a very consistent racer which prizes every year. Still with the partnership they are also 4th on 1580ypm with a 2yo blue cock which also prized two weeks ago and also won last year. Three partnerships are flying a very good pigeon, the first eight being covered by these lofts i.e. Mr & Mrs Albert Austin, Jones Bros and R. Ormandy. The Mid-Cheshire Federation proved my point when Jones Bros took the first five places. The birdage entered was down to 85 and I cannot remember such a low send from the club in this fed. The winning pigeon for Jack & Bobby, with a velocity of 1584ypm is a 2yo chequer hen, which prized three times last year. Their 2nd on 1584ypm is a chequer cock that is very consistent and has prized three weeks on the run. The next vel of vel 1577ypm for 3rd position is a very good pigeon, a 2yo chequer cock, last year this one won 1st club Messac, 1st Fed, 1st Cheshire Combine and 1st Three Counties, how about that "Superb" In 4th place vel 1577yom is a 3yo chequer cock that topped the South West Federation last year. All flown on widowhood and all the lads first class team of Andre Clemens. I hold my hands up to these lads because they will be the ones to beat at the end of the season Niort. Les I think they deserve a write up. That's it for this week and I will step off my soap box, Mel Bratt, Winsford PO. The Cheshire FC Yeovil race saw 10 members enter 164 birds that went up in a light south west wind. Club PO John Lawson tells us that Andy Thompson takes 1st & 4th club with his winner being a blue Staf Van Reet hen from his Keith Arnold stock and records a vel of 1587ypm. This widowhood hen is the same way bred as Andy’s Warrington 2B winner from Fougeres in the 2012 season. The 4th club bird is a Keith Arnold blue w/f cock on 1546ypm and is a previous winner of 2x1sts plus 3rd & 12th Lymm federation last year. Don Risley is 2nd with a blue cock on a vel of 1561ypm, this yearling Fred from Frank “Micky” Dixon stock from the lines of Anton Reyneart Figo and Dirk Barbry lines, Tommy Davies is 3rd with a chequer cock on 1560ypm. In the Kingsway club 10 sent 259 birds to Yeovil with 1st 2nd 3rd & 4th all went to the very good partnership of Andy Noon & Geoff Callen with their team of widowhood cocks. This outstanding result where they also took the first four in the fed follows the consecutive 1st club wins when they only sent one to each race, their vels in this race are two on 1602 and two on 1600ypm. The first two are from their A&S Hughes stock with a Heremans/Ceuster and Lambrecht taking the other two cards. Jim Jones takes the next two positions on 1597/1596ypm with a couple of widowhood cocks and they are 5th & 6th fed making it a good race for the Kingsway members. Portland was the next race for the Moulton club saw 7 send 95 birds that like so many more organisation’s were held over until Sunday. Once again it appears that twin’s Peter & Mike Child are unbeatable taking 1st 2nd & 4th positions on 1894/1886/1874ypm. The winner is a 2yo chequer cock ahead of a Dutch rung 09 chequer cock and a yearling Grizzle cock being 4th. Mr & Mrs. D Jones are 3rd with a yearling blue cock on 1881ypm. The next two races are covered by PO Gary Hodkinson starting with the Lostock FC race from Portland saw 9 send 109 birds with the two leading positions going to Derek Woodward with a 2yo chequer cock and a 3yo blue cock recording vels of 1996/1995ypm. 3rd goes to Kenny Burke and silent partner Gary Hodkinson who clocked a yearling blue hen on 1983ypm. Keith Herbert is next on the list claiming 4th with a yearling blue cock clocking up 1973ypm. Gary’s next coverage is for the Minshull midweek race from Wollaston 6 members sent 102 birds. 1st & 2nd go to Tommy Howarth who saw home two yearling these being a chequer cock and red cock with vels of 1615/1614ypm. The next two go to Kenny Burke & Gary Hodkinson with a 2yo chequer cock and a yearling blue hen on 1606/1605ypm. Portland was the last inland race for the Middlewich clubs before the channel racing starts. In the Middlewich FC racing with the Mid Cheshire Mark & Heather Smith have seen their birds continue to improve by taking the top two positions in this race. The channel races are where Mark likes to compete the most so everything is on track. Anyway the winner is a 4yo Staf Van Reet blue hen who has collected several prizes in the clubs and also in the North West Classic with the other winning similar prizes and this is a 6yo chequer hen from the late Denis Gleave lines, their vels are 2047/2037ypm so another fast race. Dickens & Wilkinson continue to be in the prizes with their Curtis, Wall & Lunt stock, this latest card is with a 2yo chequer cock that has prized before and clocks up 2012ypm. 4th goes to Alan Groom who saw home a yearling blue w/f cock from his very good Van Den Bosch team, this being a first prize for this one. The Middlewich 5B were also at the same race point as the FC but with the South West Cheshire fed when the red card went to the father and son partnership of Ken & Stan Bosson with a chequer cock on 2017ypm. Mark & Heather Smith made it a good day by collecting 2nd on 2006ypm with a blue cock that has won a 1st prize previously this is a Vandenabeele from friends O’Hare & Woodward. Peter & Dawn Latham are 3rd after seeing home a Busschaert cross red pied cock collecting another card, this time on 1960ypm. WT Wilson & Son are 4th with a Janssen red cock on 1939ypm collecting a first prize of the year. !2 members of the Rudheath club sent 123 birds to Portland where Malcolm Hewitt collected another red card after clocking a blue cock and was also 4th with a chequer cock their vels are 1984/1981ypm. The “Wincham wizard” Derek Woodward is 2nd after clocking a dark chequer cock on 1983ypm to also collect the nom of £11 and yet again it is the breeding pair of Gaby and Favorite Son, what a pair. Keith Herbert is 3rd with a blue pied cock recording a vel of 1982ypm. There were 15 pigeons on the result and out of those there were only 2 hens. The Sandbach FC were another club experiencing the holdover at Portland. Holdover or not it didn’t make any difference to Eric Taylor who finished 1st & 3rd and also topped the fed with a yearling Verheye blue cock also winning the nom of £45, this one also won Yeovil. Eric’s second in the clock was also a yearling blue Verheye cock, their vels being 2068/2033ypm and raced on the widowhood. 2nd is John Allbutt who had a good day when he finished 2nd in this race on 2036ypm after clocking a 2yo Staf Van Reet Widowhood cock and also topped the other local fed. 4th went to Tommy Hulme 7 Son with a 2yo Staf Van Reet cock raced on the widowhood to record a vel of 2006ypm. Mel Bratt’s PC is not on gas this week because his report on the Winsford HS has arrived on time, he’s happy this summer after seeing his Man City winning a couple of trophies and no doubt his buddy Mick has been in hiding. Both Federations were at Portland, which resulted in a holdover. The club entered a total of 248 birds with 186 birds entered in South West Cheshire and 62 entered in Mid-Cheshire. Leading the list in the race controlled by South West were the inform lofts of Albert & Margarite Austin, recording a velocity of 2013ypm with a yearling blue cock, a Lambrecht. The partnership were also 3rd with a 2yo chequer Lambrecht again bred out of the stock loft, this consistent cock has prized every year. They are also in 4th place with a 3yo pencil blue cock of the Jim Dutton Wildermeersch lines and is another consistent cock being a prize winner before. He was bred out of the stock loft and looks like one for the future because this young cock has already won 2x1st plus eight other cards, a champion in the making. They were all raced on widowhood to record vels of 2013/1951/1950ypm. In second place, vel 1966, the other red hot loft in Winsford is that of Jones Bros with a 3yo mealy cock, which topped the S.W. Federation as a young bird and is a very consistent bird winning every year since, he is flown on widowhood and from their very good Andre Clemens. What makes this partnership performance all the better is the fact that the total team is 18 widowhood cocks. I would like to congratulate Alan Leach on 5th place for his effort each week. Alan's a new starter and has been having bad traps plus Harry Vernon who finished in 6th position. In the Mid-Cheshire Federation race it was a total take over for Jones Bros, taking the first four positions. In first place is a yearling chequer cock that also won the £20 club nomination race last year and was 7th Middlewich 2B Carentan also last year. Their next in the clock is a 2yo blue hen which prized twice last year. These lads keep their options open, flying all nest conditions. They then clocked a 2yo chequer cock already a winner of 1st Carentan, 2nd Fougeres. Next is a 3yo chequer cock which topped the South West Federation last year. So you can see a very consistent loft of Andre Clemens. Their winning vels are 2048/2044/1965/1917ypm and are all raced on the widowhood system, these lads have racing off to a fine art whether they race cocks or hens. The ETS gremlins were at work again with the Unikon system without a signal and I believe all the clubs around, using Unikon, had the same problems. (Not just Unikon all the ETS systems were the same at Middlewich apparently there was no signal on that day). I would like to thank Karen James at the RPRA for all her help when I enquired about the ETS systems a very efficient and most helpful lady and a credit to the RPRA (My feelings also Mel). Thank you once again Karen. I would also like to congratulate the NFC for the good condition of the birds on their return from Carentan. PO Mel Bratt. Thank Mel as always a good report on your local club with winners getting the recognition for their hard work. In the South West Cheshire Fed race from Portland 60 members sent 820 birds that were liberated at 8.15am in a South West wind. Top spot was filled by Greenbank member John Allbutt in another fast race recording a vbel of 2051ypm. The next five positions all went to Crewe West End members staring with Rob Bennett 2nd, Mr & Mrs Keith Lovatt with Mick & Wendy Mellor 4th 5th 6th all three being clocked in 14 seconds. Mick Stockton is 7th followed by Hankelow winner Roy Jolley 8th Colin Lindop 9th and Middlewich 5B winners Ken & Stan Bosson 10th fed. Just the Winsford club missing out on the fed where Mr & Mrs Albert Austin took top spot, how times change. The West Coast Fed saw 1185 birds from 59 members take to the sky over Mangotsfield at 6am in what turned out to be a mixed race for some members having returns spread out. The yearlings set the pace in this race as there were 6 in the first 7 positions. The Blackpool Col members had a good race with their leader being Kenny Cardwell in 1st 4th & 6th positions. Ron & Shirley Mott are 2nd 19th & 20th with Queens Inv winners Paul Fisher & Son being 3rd & 11th. P Hodgkinson is 5th & 9th fed while C Jones clocked two close together filling 7th & 8th places. Fleetwood HS winner J Stockton is 10th. Walsh Bros from the Staining HS are 12th ahead of Brian Fisher 13th ahead of Kirkham & Wesham winners J Hassall & Jackson 14th & 18th.J Julian wins the Stalmine & Dist to finish 15th with Pilling Inv winners Roskell & Williamson 16th leaving 17th to Mick Barlow. The winners were well spread in the fed this week and there are just two missing to top 20 and they are Fleetwood & Dist winner J McLellan and C Mellor & son from the Thornton & Cleveleys club, both did make the top 30.

Roskell & Williamson's latest winner - see West Coast Fed result

In the Mid Cheshire fed race from Portland 77 members entered 1067 birds that were liberated at 8.30am in a south west wind after a one day holdover. Sandbach winner Eric Taylor topped the list and was also 9th ahead of the Winsford inform loft of Jones Bros who are 2nd & 4th. The first three in the fed were from three different clubs with Middlewich winners Mark & Heather Smith being 3rd & 6th. Crewe Premier winners Mr & Mrs Geoff Matthews are 5th with John Allbutt 7th & 17th. The Crewe Premier had a good race with other members getting in on the fed result and they include Manley & Lloyd 9th, Steve Parkinson 10th, Mr & Mrs Jimmy Bennett 12th & 13th and Dave & Baz Mellor 18th & 19th fed. Dickens & Wilkinson are 11th & 20th with Tommy Hulme & Son also clocking two close together for 14th & 15th places with the remaining position going to Alan Groom in 16th spot. A few clubs missed out on the top twenty this week and they are Acton Bridge where Curtis, Wall & Lunt’s good run came to an end. In the Moulton club Peter & Mike Child are still taking the red card. Bill Mather tops the list in the Cheshire FC with Malcolm Hewitt doing likewise over at Rudheath. Mr & Mrs Jones are the Kingsway winners with Graham Davies also topping the list in the Wrinehill club.